Thursday, July 03, 2014

Walking through the front door on our first viewing of the
property, we were confronted by swirly shag-pile carpets, polystyrene tiles on
the ceilings, woodchip on the walls, no central heating, a tiny kitchen, a very
unloved room that had once been the village post office, and an overgrown
garden full of brambles and ivy...

But I think we needed the house as much as
she needed us, so the deal was done.

The carpets, woodchip and the fire hazard tiles were soon
banished. The house became cosy with the installation of new windows, a front porch, and a
central heating system. Gems were discovered such as original old panelled doors beneath
hardboard coverings that were put there during the 1960’s, and the beautiful
old floorboards were exposed throughout.

The garden was tamed, the kitchen moved to the old shop space
on the other side of the house and the bathroom was modernised (but with a
traditional look.) To take advantage of the beautiful view of the Somerset
hills, the pièce de résistancewas having
the raised decked balcony built on the back of the house.

It has been a wonderful family home that we have loved living in and where we've had many happy times...the perfect place to
bring up our three gorgeous girls; shaped by us, it was made ‘just right’ for
us all...I know the girls will miss the house when it’s time for us to go, but they understand that it's now Mum and Dad's chance to move-on to somewhere new (old!) ;-))

Knowing a little of how the property market works, a sale may take time...But
we hope that someone soon will fall for her charms and make this old stone
house their new home in the near future...I do believe there is a perfect someone out there - they just have to find us...

Wednesday, July 02, 2014

Although our summer holiday to Edinburgh didn't get off to the best of starts - Heathrow Airport managed to lose my suitcase and so I arrived in the city with just the clothes I stood up in and my handbag - I was reunited with it just over 24 hours later when it arrived at our apartment by courier the following evening.

I'd never been to Scotland before and loved every minute. Edinburgh had so much to offer and the people were very friendly and welcoming. With the bonus of many of the attractions being free to go in, we made the most of each day there...The Scottish National Gallery

Scottish Parliament Building

Edinburgh Castle

Where we took a tour...

with this very funny tour-guide, who told us it was never sunny in Edinburgh, so 'today was a mistake'!

The views from the towers were spectacular...

And we witnessed the 1 o'clock gun, fire out over the city.

There was some shopping time...

'How much is that doggie in the window?'...

At the Old Town Woollen Mill I bought a bundle of assorted tartan remnants to create my own souvenir of a lovely holiday.

We walked around several cemeteries in Edinburgh.

Greyfriars Bobby.

The Cathedral

With the promise of more sunshine, one day we headed to the coast at North Berwick.

And Dunbar.

Scottish Mussels.

The Heart of Midlothian.

Then a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia...

The Queen's bedroom.

And the Royal Botanic Garden.

Calton Hill Monuments.

And the National Museum of Scotland.

A wonderful holiday where we walked for miles and experienced so many wonderful sights...I would love to return one day...